Abstract: The present invention relates to a bacteriophage strain capable of producing a lytic infection in the Escherichia coli ST131-025b:H4 clone. The burden of ST131-025b:H4 Escherichia coli clonal complex in human community and hospital-acquired infections is increasing worldwide, going along with a worrying and growing resistance to betalactams and fluoroquinolones. Bacteriophage LM33_P1 infects exclusively (100% specificity) 025b E. coli strains with 70% coverage on the two major antibiotic resistant pandemic clonal complexes ST131-025b:H4 and ST69-025b. The inventors evaluated the in vivo activity of bacteriophage LM33_P1 using three different extraintestinal virulence murine models and showed that it infects bacteria in several organs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for the rapid detection of the Escherichia coli O25b-ST131 clone. The inventors have isolated a podoviridae bacteriophage (LM33_P1) infecting the E. coli strain LM33 isolated from ventilator associated pneumonia and which belongs to clone STI3I-025b. By testing different strains of E coli belonging to 129 others various distinct serotypes (including twelve O25a) the inventors found that bacteriophage LM33_P1 is able to infect exclusively O25b strains (none of non-O25b strains could be infected by LM33_P1). The inventors have determined that the specificity displayed by bacteriophage LM33_P1 to infect only 025b serotype strains is based on a very specific polypeptide (Gp17) used by LM33_P1 to attach the bacterial cell via LPS molecule. In particular, the present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80% of identity with the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bacteriophage strain capable of producing a lytic infection in the Escherichia coli ST131-025b:H4 clone. The burden of STl31-025b:H4 Escherichia coli clonal complex in human community and hospital-acquired infections is increasing worldwide, going along with a worrying and growing resistance to betalactams and fluoroquinolones. Bacteriophage LM33_P1 infects exclusively (100% specificity) 025b E. coli strains with 70% coverage on the two major antibiotic resistant pandemic clonal complexes STI31-025b:H4 and ST69-025b. The inventors evaluated the in vivo activity of bacteriophage LM33_P1 using three different extraintestinal virulence murine models and showed that it infects bacteria in several organs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to human specific Escherichia coli strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to human specific Escherichia coli strains.

Abstract: In general, the invention features a method for determining the presence of a strain of chlamydia in a biological sample. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a biological sample; and (b) determining the presence of a polynucleotide containing a polymorphic repetitive sequence in a polynucleotide in the sample, wherein the polymorphic repetitive sequence is associated with a first strain of chlamydia and not associated with a second strain of chlamydiae. In this method, the presence of the polynucleotide containing the polymorphic repetitive sequence indicates presence of the first strain of chlamydia.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the determination of the presence of specific microorganisms in a sample using the amplification of DNA. The invention further provides compositions and methods that provide an internal standard for the validation of the amplification of DNA. The invention is based on the use of hybrid oligonucleotides that have two domains that are specific for two genetically distinct regions of DNA, e.g., in two genetically distinct microorganisms.